Georgia Sweeps UAB on the diamond

ATHENS----The Bulldog offense rolled again Sunday with 15 hits in a 13-2 victory over the UAB Blazers to complete a three-game sweep at Foley Field.

Georgia starter Luke Crumley faced an early challenge in the second inning. After hitting two consecutive batters and surrendering a single to Sam Kelley, he was faced with a bases loaded, one out situation. Crumley remained composed and was able to retire the last two Blazers to end the inning.

The Bulldogs’ bats came alive in the fourth inning as they batted around, plating six runs off of five hits. Freshman Sean McLaughlin, who started at pitcher and got the win on Friday, led the charge and produced his first two career RBI with a single to right field. Zach Bowers, Nelson Ward, Curt Powell, and Kyle Farmer were also credited with RBIs in the fourth. Farmer batted .692 (9-for-13) in the series while Ward hit .643 (9-for-14).

“They played great. We did a great job battling with every at-bat and getting the opposing pitcher to raise his pitch count,” asid Georgia coach David Perno. “McLaughlin and Ward had some great at bats. We did enough to get their starter out early and then took advantage of their bullpen. Luke Crumley was outstanding getting out of that bases loaded jam early on in the game. It ended up a great start by Crumley, and we had some good, quality innings out of the bullpen. Our team has great confidence and the players are feeding off of each other. We’re in a good place right now.”

Georgia added a pair of runs in the fifth. Brett DeLoach, who was hit by a pitch, scored the first run after Bowers smacked a double to left field. Ward knocked in Bowers with a single giving him his third hit of the day and 11 hits in 17 at-bats with four RBIs over the past four games. Georgia led 8-0 after five frames.

Farmer had a three-run, bases clearing double to left center in the seventh inning. This was Farmer’s second hit of the game and ninth hit in 13 at-bats along with six RBIs in the series.

UAB had three hits and two runs in the eighth inning off freshman Palmer Betts in his debut. After a single by Chase Davis and a double by Ryan Prinzing, they were driven in by teammates John Frost and Jeff Schalk. The Blazers trailed 11-2 after eight innings.

Bowers smashed a two-run home run to left field in the ninth inning. He leads the team with three long balls and was the first home run with runners on base for the Bulldogs this season after six solo shots.

Crumley (1-2) earned his first win of the season. He pitched five scoreless innings with three strikeouts while giving up five hits, giving the Bulldogs back-to-back scoreless outings by starting pitchers. Bulldog relief featured Ross Ripple, Dylan Cole, Palmer Betts, and Jared Walsh.

UAB starter Chase Mallard (0-1) received the loss after giving up three runs on four hits in three innings. Cameron Rose tossed two innings surrendering five runs on six hits. Jacob German and Adam Lau also made appearances out of the bullpen.

The Bulldogs return to action on Tuesday and will play host to Western Carolina. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m.

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